[TECHNICAL FIELD]
[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module configured to have a structure
in which battery cells are stacked in a state in which each of the battery cells is
fixed to a corresponding cartridge.
[BACKGROUND ART]
[0002] In recent years, a secondary battery, which can be charged and discharged, has been
widely used as an energy source for wireless mobile devices. In addition, the secondary
battery has attracted considerable attention as a power source for electric vehicles
(EV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (Plug-in
HEV), which have been developed to solve problems, such as air pollution, caused by
existing gasoline and diesel vehicles that use fossil fuels.
[0003] In addition, technology related to an electric power storage apparatus that stores
electric power and stably supplies the stored electric power to a power system when
needed has been developed. The electric power storage apparatus is an apparatus that
stores electric power when electric power demand is low and supplies the stored electric
power in the event of overload or emergency. The electric power storage apparatus
has the effect of improving both the quality of electric power and energy efficiency.
In particular, markets for a household electric power storage apparatus and a middle-sized
industrial or commercial electric power storage apparatus have been rapidly expanding,
because such electric power storage apparatuses are related to smart grid technology.
[0004] Meanwhile, in order for a battery module to provide the output and capacity required
by a predetermined apparatus or device, it is necessary for the battery module to
be configured to have a structure in which a plurality of battery cells is electrically
connected to each other in series or in parallel. In addition, it is necessary for
the battery module to be configured to have a structure that is easily extendable
and remains stable as the capacity of the battery module is increased.
[0005] In particular, in a case in which a plurality of battery cells is used to constitute
a battery module, a plurality of members, such as bus bars and power cables, is needed
for mechanical fastening and electrical connection between the battery cells, and
a cooling structure must also be included. As a result, a process of assembling the
members is very complicated. In addition, in a case in which it is necessary to extend
the battery module, it is difficult to modify the structure of the battery module.
Furthermore, a plurality of components is additionally needed, which increases the
cost of manufacturing the battery module.
[0006] In addition, during the manufacture of a battery module which includes a plurality
of components and the structure of which is therefore complicated, it is difficult
to detect incorrect assembly of the battery module. Incorrect assembly of the battery
module may decrease the safety and reliability of the battery module and may increase
a defect rate of the battery module.
[DISCLOSURE]
[TECHNICAL PROBLEM]
[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems and other technical
problems that have yet to be resolved.
[0008] Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a battery module,
the cooling structure of which is improved in order to improve cooling efficiency,
the incorrect assembly of which is prevented during the manufacture of the battery
module, and which exhibits high structural stability.
[TECHNICAL SOLUTION]
[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects
can be accomplished by the provision of a battery module configured to have a structure
in which two or more unit cells are fixed to a cartridge and a plurality of cartridges
is stacked, the battery module including unit cells having electrode terminals formed
at one side thereof, cartridges for fixing the unit cells, and bus bars coupled with
the electrode terminals for electrically connecting the unit cells with each other,
wherein the unit cells are mounted to the cartridges such that the electrode terminals
of the unit cells face each other in a state in which the unit cells are arranged
in a line such that side surfaces of the unit cells are parallel to the ground, and
the electrode terminals facing each other are connected to each other in parallel
by the bus bars mounted to the cartridges to form a parallel unit cell connection
structure for each of the cartridges, and the cartridges are stacked such that a plurality
of parallel unit cell connection structures is arranged from the ground in a height
direction.
[0010] That is, the battery module according to the present invention is configured to have
a structure in which a plurality of unit cells is connected to each other in parallel
to form a parallel unit cell connection structure, and a plurality of parallel unit
cell connection structures is stacked such that the parallel unit cell connection
structures are connected to each other in parallel. Consequently, it is possible to
easily assemble the battery module and to extend the parallel connection structure
of the battery module.
[0011] In addition, in the battery module according to the present invention, the unit cells
are specifically arranged and mounted on each of the cartridges. Consequently, the
battery module has a compact structure and exhibits high structural stability.
[0012] In a concrete example, each of the unit cells may be a plate-shaped battery cell.
[0013] For example, the plate-shaped battery cell may be a pouch-shaped battery cell configured
to have a structure in which an electrode assembly is mounted in a battery case made
of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer.
[0014] Specifically, the battery cell may be a pouch-shaped battery cell configured to have
a structure in which an electrode assembly having a positive electrode/separator/negative
electrode structure is contained in a battery case together with an electrolyte in
a sealed state. The battery cell may be a plate-shaped battery cell configured to
have an approximately rectangular hexahedral structure having a small thickness to
width ratio. In general, the pouch-shaped battery cell may include a pouch-shaped
battery case. The battery case is configured to have a laminate sheet structure in
which an outer coating layer made of a polymer resin exhibiting high durability, a
barrier layer made of a metal material blocking moisture or air, and an inner sealant
layer made of a thermally bondable polymer resin are sequentially stacked.
[0015] The battery case of the pouch-shaped battery cell may be configured to have various
structures. For example, the battery case of the pouch-shaped battery cell may be
configured to have a structure in which an electrode assembly is received in a receiving
part formed at the upper inner surface and/or the lower inner surface of a two-unit
member, and the upper and lower contact regions of the outer edge of the battery case
are sealed by thermal bonding. The pouch-shaped battery cell with the above-stated
construction is disclosed in PCT International Application No.
PCT/KR2004/003312, which has been filed in the name of the applicant of the present patent application.
The disclosure of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by
reference as if fully set forth herein. Alternatively, the battery case may be configured
to have a structure in which an electrode assembly is received in a receiving part
formed at the upper inner surface and/or the lower inner surface of a one-unit member
and in which the upper and lower contact regions of the outer edge of the battery
case are sealed by thermal bonding.
[0016] The plate-shaped battery cell is not particularly restricted so long as the battery
cell is capable of providing high voltage and high current when a battery module or
a battery pack is constructed using the battery cell. For example, the battery cell
may be a lithium secondary battery having high energy storage capacity per unit volume.
[0017] In a concrete example, each of the cartridges may be provided with a first unit cell
mounting unit and a second unit cell mounting unit, in each of which one unit cell
is mounted such that electrode terminals of the unit cells face each other, and the
first unit cell mounting unit and the second unit cell mounting unit may extend in
a line from the end of the first unit cell mounting unit to the end of the second
unit cell mounting unit when viewed from the side.
[0018] That is, the first unit cell mounting unit and the second unit cell mounting unit
are formed at each of the cartridges such that the first unit cell mounting unit and
the second unit cell mounting unit correspond to the arrangement of the two unit cells
in a state in which the respective unit cells are received in the first unit cell
mounting unit and the second unit cell mounting unit.
[0019] Each of the cartridges may be provided at a portion of the inner surface thereof
corresponding to the upper surface or the lower surface of each of the unit cells
with at least one rib for supporting each of the unit cells while defining coolant
flow channels.
[0020] In addition, each of the cartridges may be provided in sides thereof with openings
communicating with the coolant flow channels. For example, the openings may be formed
in the shape of a slit. A coolant is introduced in to the coolant flow channels, or
is discharged from the coolant flow channels, through the openings. Consequently,
coolant inlet openings may be formed in one side of each of the cartridges, and coolant
outlet openings may be formed in the other side of each of the cartridges.
[0021] Each of the cartridges may be provided with at least one push prevention projection
for supporting a portion of the outer circumferential surface of each of the unit
cells at which the electrode terminals of the unit cells are located in order to prevent
the unit cells from being pushed during welding of the bus bars to the electrode terminals
of the unit cells while fixing the unit cells in position.
[0022] For example, the push prevention projection may be configured to have a structure
for supporting opposite ends of the outer circumferential surface of each of the unit
cells at which the electrode terminals are located and supporting a portion of each
of the unit cells between the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode
terminal.
[0023] Meanwhile, each of the cartridges may be provided with at least one protrusion protruding
upward or downward therefrom, and an adjacent cartridge may be provided with at least
one recess corresponding to the protrusion, such that each of the cartridges is stacked
in position on or under the adjacent cartridge. That is, when the cartridges are stacked,
the cartridges may be coupled to each other in position by inserting the protrusion
into the recess.
[0024] The protrusion and the recess may be provided at the outer circumferential surface
of each of the cartridges in order to make it easy to check whether the cartridges
are stacked in position.
[0025] Meanwhile, each of the cartridges may be provided on the surface thereof with letters
or marks for guiding the location of the unit cells in position or for making it easy
to check the positions of the cartridges when the cartridges are stacked. The letters
or the marks formed on each of the cartridges enable the battery module to be correctly
assembled and make it easy to check whether the battery module is defective in a state
in which the battery module is assembled
[0026] The letters or marks may be printed on the surface of each of the cartridges, or
may be carved in the surface of each of the cartridges. The letters or marks may indicate
at least one selected from among positions of the unit cells on each of the cartridges,
positions of a positive electrode and a negative electrode of each of the unit cells,
and indications of the front surface and the rear surface of each of the cartridges.
[0027] Meanwhile, the parallel unit cell connection structures may be fixed in a state in
which the parallel unit cell connection structures are stacked. For example, each
of the cartridges in the parallel unit cell connection structures may be provided
at opposite sides thereof with protrusions having fastening holes formed therein such
that the cartridges are coupled to each other by fastening members inserted through
the fastening holes. That is, in a state in which the cartridges are stacked, the
cartridges may be coupled to each other by inserting the fastening members through
the fastening holes in the cartridges.
[0028] In the above structure, the protrusions formed at the opposite sides of each of the
cartridges may be symmetrically arranged with respect to the middle of each of the
cartridges such that the cartridges are stably coupled to each other.
[0029] According to circumstances, each of the cartridges may be provided in a middle part
thereof with an additional fastening hole, through which a fastening member is inserted
in order to couple the cartridges to each other.
[0030] The electrode terminals of the unit cells may be coupled to the bus bars through
various methods. For example, the electrode terminals of the unit cells may be coupled
to the bus bars by welding, soldering, or mechanical fastening. Specifically, the
electrode terminals of the unit cells may be coupled to the bus bars by laser welding
or ultrasonic welding.
[0031] In the parallel unit cell connection structure, the unit cells may be mounted to
each of the cartridges in a state in which the unit cells are symmetrically arranged
with respect to the bus bars. That is, the unit cells, the electrode terminals of
which are connected to the bus bars, may be symmetrically arranged with respect to
the bus bars. In this case, each of the cartridges, which fix the unit cells, may
be symmetrically arranged with respect to the bus bars such that each of the cartridges
corresponds to the unit cells.
[0032] According to circumstances, at least two of the bus bars may be connected to each
other in series. In this case, the bus bars may be connected to each other in series
by a series connection member. In the same manner as the bus bars, the series connection
member may be provided in one end thereof with a coupling hole such that the series
connection member is electrically and mechanically connected to the bus bars by inserting
bolts, bolts and nuts, or self-clinching nuts through the coupling hole in the series
connection member and coupling holes formed in the bus bars.
[0033] Consequently, it is possible to adjust or increase the capacity of the battery module
by making parallel connections between the parallel unit cell connection structures.
In addition, it is possible to adjust or increase the output of the battery module
by making series connections between some of the parallel unit cell connection structures.
[0034] In a concrete example of the series connection between the parallel unit cell connection
structures, the bus bars for parallel connection may include a first bus bar and a
second bus bar. The first bus bar may be connected to a positive electrode terminal
of each of the unit cells, and the second bus bar may be connected to a negative electrode
terminal of each of the unit cells. In this case, the parallel unit cell connection
structures may be stacked such that the first bus bar and the second bus bar in the
parallel unit cell connection structure are alternately arranged.
[0035] The first bus bar and the second bus bar may be alternately arranged in various manners.
For example, an upper cartridge may be stacked on a lower cartridge in a state in
which the upper cartridge is rotated by 180 degrees relative to the lower cartridge
in a plane such that the first bus bar and the second bus bar are alternately arranged.
[0036] That is, in the structure in which the cartridges are stacked in a state in which
the first bus bar connected to the positive electrode terminal and the second bus
bar connected to the negative electrode terminal are alternately arranged as described
above, the first bus bar and the second bus bar may be connected to each other in
the upper and lower cartridges, which are stacked using the series connection member,
thereby achieving series connection.
[0037] Each of the cartridges may be provided with openings for welding, in which the bus
bars are mounted. That is, openings may be formed in regions of the cartridge corresponding
to regions at which the bus bars and the electrode terminals of the unit cells are
welded such that the lower surfaces of the bus bars are exposed for welding.
[0038] The bus bars may be coupled to the cartridges using various methods. For example,
the bus bars may be provided with fastening through holes, and each of the cartridges
may be provided with fastening protrusions, which are inserted through the fastening
through holes. Consequently, the bus bars may be coupled to the cartridges by coupling
of the fastening protrusions through the fastening through holes.
[0039] Meanwhile, one end of each of the bus bars may be bent to the side surface of each
of the cartridges, and may extend therefrom. An additional connection member may be
connected to the bent and extending region of each of the bus bars such that the additional
connection member is electrically connected to a lower or upper adjacent cartridge
or an external input and output terminal.
[0040] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery
pack including a battery module with the above-stated construction as a unit module.
[0041] The battery pack may be manufactured by combining a plurality of battery modules
as the unit modules of the battery pack based on the desired output and capacity of
the battery pack. In consideration of installation efficiency and structural stability,
the battery pack may be used as a power source for a household power supply, a power
supply for public facilities, a power supply for large-sized stores, a power supply
for emergency, a power supply for computer rooms, a portable power supply, a power
supply for medical facilities, a power supply for fire extinguishing facilities, a
power supply for alarm facilities, a power supply for refuge facilities, an electric
vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. However,
the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0042] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
device including the battery pack with the above-stated construction. Specifically,
the device may be a household power supply, a power supply for public facilities,
a power supply for large-sized stores, a power supply for emergency, a power supply
for computer rooms, a portable power supply, a power supply for medical facilities,
a power supply for fire extinguishing facilities, a power supply for alarm facilities,
a power supply for refuge facilities, an electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle,
or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.
[0043] The structure and manufacturing method of the device are well known in the art to
which the present invention pertains, and therefore a detailed description thereof
will be omitted.
[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS]
[0044] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention
will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the battery module of FIG. 1, in which with the
upper part of the battery module has been separated from the remaining part of the
battery module:
FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a battery cell, which constitutes a unit cell
of the battery module of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cartridge of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a structure in which bus bars are separated from
the cartridge of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a front view of FIG. 4; and
FIG. 8 is a rear view of FIG. 4.
[BEST MODE]
[0045] Now, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the scope
of the present invention is not limited by the illustrated embodiments.
[0046] For the convenience of description, a module case, an external input and output terminal,
and a protection circuit module, which are included in a general battery module, are
omitted from the accompanying drawings.
[0047] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery module 100 is configured to have a structure including
unit cells 110 and 110', at one side of which electrode terminals 112, 113, 112',
and 113' are formed, cartridges 120 for fixing the unit cells 110 and 110', and bus
bars 132 and 134 coupled to the electrode terminals 112, 113, 112', and 113' for electrically
connecting the unit cells 110 and 110' to each other.
[0049] The unit cells 110 and 110' are mounted to the cartridges 120 such that the electrode
terminals 112, 113, 112', and 113' face each other, and the electrode terminals 112,
113, 112', and 113' are connected to each other in parallel by the bus bars 132 and
134, which are mounted to the cartridges 120 such that the unit cells are connected
to each other in parallel in the cartridges 120.
[0050] The cartridges 120 are stacked in a vertical direction such that the unit cells,
which are connected to each other in parallel, are arranged from the ground in the
height direction.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the battery module of FIG. 1, in which with
the upper part of the battery module has been separated from the remaining part of
the battery module, and FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 2.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 together with FIG. 1, protrusions 122 having therein fastening
holes 124 are formed on opposite sides of each of the cartridges 120 such that fastening
members (not shown) are inserted through the fastening holes 124 in the cartridges
120 after the cartridges 120 are stacked in order to fix the cartridges 120 in a state
in which the cartridges 120 are stacked. The protrusions 122 formed on each of the
cartridges 120 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the middle of each of the
cartridges 120.
[0053] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a battery cell, which constitutes a unit cell
of the battery module of FIG. 1.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 4, a battery cell 110 is a plate-shaped battery cell 110 having
electrode terminals (i.e. a positive electrode terminal 112 and a negative electrode
terminal 113) formed at one end thereof. Specifically, the plate-shaped battery cell
110 is configured to have a structure in which an electrode assembly (not shown) is
mounted in a pouch-shaped case 200 made of a laminate sheet including a metal layer
(not shown) and a resin layer (not shown), and the edge of the pouch-shaped case 200
is thermally bonded to form a sealed portion 201. In general, the plate-shaped battery
cell 110 may also be referred to as a 'pouch-shaped battery cell.'
[0055] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cartridge of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a perspective
view showing a structure in which bus bars are separated from the cartridge of FIG.
5.
[0056] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 together with FIG. 2, a cartridge 120 is provided with
a first unit cell mounting unit 125a and a second unit cell mounting unit 125b, in
which two unit cells 110 and 110' are mounted such that electrode terminals 112, 113,
112', and 113' of the unit cells 110 and 110' face each other.
[0057] The cartridge 120 is configured such that regions of the cartridge 120 corresponding
to the upper surfaces or the lower surfaces of the unit cells 110 and 110' are open
when the unit cells 110 and 110' are mounted in the first unit cell mounting unit
125a and the second unit cell mounting unit 125b, respectively. A rib 126 is formed
such that the rib 126 crosses the open region of a corresponding one of the unit cell
mounting units of the cartridge in order to support each of the unit cells while defining
coolant flow channels. That is, when unit cells are mounted to the upper surface and
the lower surface of the cartridge 120, a space is provided between the unit cells
by the open regions of the cartridge 120. The space is divided by the rib 126 to define
the cooling flow channels. In addition, openings 127, which communicate with the cooling
flow channels, are formed in opposite sides of the cartridge such that a coolant is
introduced or discharged through the openings 127.
[0058] Openings 128 for welding are formed in regions of the cartridge 120 at which bus
bars 132 and 134 are mounted. Specifically, openings 128 are formed in regions of
the cartridge 120 corresponding to regions at which the bus bars 132 and 134 and the
electrode terminals of the unit cells are welded such that the lower surfaces of the
bus bars 132 and 134 are exposed for welding.
[0059] In addition, fastening protrusions 129 are formed on the cartridge 120, and fastening
through holes 133 and 135 corresponding to the fastening protrusions 129 are formed
in the bus bars 132 and 134 such that the bus bars 132 and 134 are coupled to the
cartridge 120 by the coupling of the fastening protrusions 129 through the fastening
through holes 133 and 135.
[0060] One end of each of the bus bars 132 and 134 is bent to the side surface of the cartridge
120 and extends therefrom, and the bent and extending region of each of the bus bars
132 and 234 is provided with a fastening hole 136, which is connected with a fastening
hole in an upper adjacent bus bar or a lower adjacent bus bar in series or in parallel
using an additional connection member in a state in which the cartridges are stacked.
According to circumstances, an external input and output terminal may be connected
to the fastening hole 136.
[0061] Protrusions 122 having therein fastening holes 124 are formed on opposite sides of
the cartridge 120 such that the protrusions 122 are symmetrically arranged with respect
to the middle of the cartridge 120, and an additional fastening hole 124' is formed
in the middle part of the cartridge 120. In the structure in which the cartridges
are stacked vertically, fastening members (not shown) are inserted through the fastening
holes 124 and 124' in order to fix the cartridges.
[0062] In addition, the cartridge 120 is provided at the upper surface thereof with protrusions
121a and is provided at the lower surface thereof with recesses 121b such that the
cartridge 120 is stacked in position on or under an adjacent cartridge. When the cartridges
are stacked, the protrusions 121a are inserted into the recesses 121b such that the
cartridges can be coupled to each other in position. Specifically, the protrusions
121a and the recesses 121b are formed at the outer circumferential surface of the
cartridge 120 in order to make it easy to check whether the cartridges are stacked
in position.
[0063] Meanwhile, the cartridge 120 is provided with push prevention projections 140, 141,
and 142 for supporting opposite ends of the outer circumferential surface of each
of the unit cells at which the electrode terminals are located and supporting a portion
of each of the unit cells between the positive electrode terminal and the negative
electrode terminal. When the unit cells are mounted to the cartridge 120, the push
prevention projections 140, 141, and 142 comes into tight contact with the remaining
portion of the outer circumferential surface of each of the unit cells from which
the electrode terminals protrude, excluding the electrode terminals, in order to fix
the unit cells in position. Consequently, it is possible for the push prevention projections
140, 141, and 142 to prevent the unit cells from moving in the cartridge 120 due to
external force and thus to prevent the welded portion of each of the unit cells from
being cut or broken due to the movement of the unit cells.
[0064] FIG. 7 is a front view of FIG. 4, and FIG. 8 is a rear view of FIG. 4.
[0065] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, letters 123a and 123b, that is, 'FR' and 'RR', which
respectively indicate the front surface and the rear surface, are formed on the cartridge
120. The letters 123a and 123b are formed on the front surface and the rear surface
of the cartridge 120 such that the letters 123a and 123b are visible when the cartridges
are stacked.
[0066] In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, letters 123c and 123d, which indicate 'CELL 1' and
'CELL 2', which correspond to unit cells to be mounted in the first unit cell mounting
unit and the second unit cell mounting unit, are formed on the cartridge 120.
[0067] The letters 123a, 123b, 123c, and 123d enable a user to easily check whether the
cartridges are stacked in position and enable the unit cells to be mounted in position,
thereby preventing incorrect assembly of the battery module and making it easy to
check whether the battery module is defective in a state in which the battery module
is assembled.
[0068] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for
illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications,
additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit
of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
[INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY]
[0069] As is apparent from the above description, a battery module according to the present
invention is configured to have a structure in which a plurality of unit cells is
connected to each other in parallel to form a parallel unit cell connection structure,
and a plurality of parallel unit cell connection structures is stacked in a state
in which the parallel unit cell connection structures are connected to each other
in series or in parallel. Consequently, it is possible to easily assemble the battery
module and to extend the structure of the battery module in parallel or in series
through a simple process.
[0070] In addition, coolant flow channels are defined inside each cartridge, thereby improving
cooling efficiency. Furthermore, incorrect assembly of the battery module is prevent
using the letters, marks, protrusions, and recesses formed at the cartridge, thereby
improving reliability in assembling the battery module.
1. A battery module configured to have a structure in which two or more unit cells are
fixed to a cartridge and a plurality of cartridges is stacked,
the battery module comprising unit cells having electrode terminals formed at one
side thereof, cartridges for fixing the unit cells, and bus bars coupled with the
electrode terminals for electrically connecting the unit cells with each other, wherein
the unit cells are mounted to the cartridges such that the electrode terminals of
the unit cells face each other in a state in which the unit cells are arranged in
a line such that side surfaces of the unit cells are parallel to a ground, and the
electrode terminals facing each other are connected to each other in parallel by the
bus bars mounted to the cartridges to form a parallel unit cell connection structure
for each of the cartridges, and
the cartridges are stacked such that a plurality of parallel unit cell connection
structures is arranged from the ground in a height direction.
2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein each of the unit cells is a plate-shaped
battery cell.
3. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the plate-shaped battery cell is
configured to have a structure in which an electrode assembly is mounted in a battery
case made of a laminate sheet comprising a metal layer and a resin layer, and an outer
edge of the battery case is sealed.
4. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the plate-shaped battery cell is
a lithium secondary battery.
5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein each of the cartridges is provided
with a first unit cell mounting unit and a second unit cell mounting unit, in each
of which one unit cell is mounted such that electrode terminals of the unit cells
face each other, and the first unit cell mounting unit and the second unit cell mounting
unit extend in a line from an end of the first unit cell mounting unit to an end of
the second unit cell mounting unit when viewed from a side.
6. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein each of the cartridges is provided
at a portion of an inner surface thereof corresponding to an upper surface or a lower
surface of each of the unit cells with at least one rib for supporting each of the
unit cells while defining coolant flow channels.
7. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein each of the cartridges is provided
in sides thereof with openings communicating with the coolant flow channels.
8. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein each of the cartridges is provided
with at least one push prevention projection for supporting a portion of an outer
circumferential surface of each of the unit cells at which the electrode terminals
of the unit cells are located in order to prevent the unit cells from being pushed
during welding of the bus bars to the electrode terminals of the unit cells while
fixing the unit cells in position.
9. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein the push prevention projection is
configured to have a structure for supporting opposite ends of the outer circumferential
surface of each of the unit cells at which the electrode terminals are located and
supporting a portion of each of the unit cells between the positive electrode terminal
and the negative electrode terminal.
10. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein each of the cartridges is provided
with at least one protrusion protruding upward or downward therefrom, and an adjacent
cartridge is provided with at least one recess corresponding to the protrusion, such
that each of the cartridges is stacked in position on or under the adjacent cartridge.
11. The battery module according to claim 10, wherein the protrusion and the recess are
provided at an outer circumferential surface of each of the cartridges.
12. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein each of the cartridges is provided
on a surface thereof with letters or marks for guiding locations of the unit cells
in position or for making it easy to check positions of the cartridges when the cartridges
are stacked.
13. The battery module according to claim 12, wherein the letters or marks are printed
on the surface of each of the cartridges or carved in the surface of each of the cartridges.
14. The battery module according to claim 12, wherein the letters or marks indicate at
least one selected from among positions of the unit cells on each of the cartridges,
positions of a positive electrode and a negative electrode of each of the unit cells,
and indications of a front surface and a rear surface of each of the cartridges.
15. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein each of the cartridges is provided
at each side thereof with at least one protrusion having a fastening hole formed therein
such that the cartridges are coupled to each other by a fastening member inserted
through the fastening hole.
16. The battery module according to claim 15, wherein the protrusions formed at the opposite
sides of each of the cartridges are symmetrically arranged with respect to a middle
of each of the cartridges.
17. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein each of the cartridges is provided
at a middle part thereof with an additional fastening hole, through which a fastening
member is inserted in order to couple the cartridges to each other.
18. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the electrode terminals of the unit
cells are coupled to the bus bars by laser welding or ultrasonic welding.
19. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, in the parallel unit cell connection
structure, the unit cells are mounted to each of the cartridges in a state in which
the unit cells are symmetrically arranged with respect to the bus bars.
20. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the bus bars are
connected to each other in series by a series connection member.
21. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the bus bars comprise a first bus
bar connected to a positive electrode terminal of each of the unit cells and a second
bus bar connected to a negative electrode terminal of each of the unit cells, and
the cartridges are stacked such that the first bus bar and the second bus bar in the
parallel unit cell connection structure are alternately arranged.
22. The battery module according to claim 21, wherein an upper cartridge is stacked on
a lower cartridge in a state in which the upper cartridge is rotated by 180 degrees
relative to the lower cartridge in a plane such that the first bus bar and the second
bus bar are alternately arranged.
23. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein each of the cartridges is provided
with openings for welding, in which the bus bars are mounted.
24. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the bus bars are provided with fastening
through holes, and each of the cartridges is provided with fastening protrusions,
which are inserted through the fastening through holes.
25. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein one end of each of the bus bars is
bent to a side surface of each of the cartridges and extends therefrom.
26. A battery pack comprising a battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 25
as a unit module.
27. A device comprising a battery pack according to claim 26.
28. The device according to claim 27, wherein the device is a household power supply,
a power supply for public facilities, a power supply for large-sized stores, a power
supply for emergency, a power supply for computer rooms, a portable power supply,
a power supply for medical facilities, a power supply for fire extinguishing facilities,
a power supply for alarm facilities, a power supply for refuge facilities, an electric
vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.